Senior co-captain Aidan Rock

“We knew they were football players. We knew that they wanted this as much as we did.””

The new Westport gymnasium buzzed with excitement as the Westport basketball team beat down Millis 72-56 in a physical, hard fought tournament game on Friday night. The 13th seeded Wildcats with a record of 16-3, move up to play 4th seeded Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School in the Division 5 round of 16 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. 

“We knew they were football players,” said senior co-captain Aidan Rock of Millis. “We knew that they wanted this as much as we did.”

Senior co-captain Dom Vitorino led the Wildcats with 15 points. Rock and Ben Boudria each netted 12 points, Owen Boudria scored 11 and Hunter Brodeur added 8, but it was the team’s 19 steals that secured the victory. 

“Tonight the big difference was that they turned the ball over a lot and my point guard (Ben Boudria) didn’t,” Coach Boudria said. “That was huge for us.” 

Ben Boudria the Wildcats junior point guard distributed the ball well on offense and was stealthy with the ball committing just two turnovers. Defensively he wreaked havoc on the Millis guards with four steals as they attempted to dribble the ball up court.  

“Ben was a big factor the whole entire game,” said Coach Boudria. “He kept the sanity of the offense and didn’t turn the ball over. Ben’s defense, I tell you what, because he’s my own son I always skip over him. He just doesn’t stop. He’ll lose, but he’ll lose swinging, kicking and fighting.” 

Coach Boudria’s other son, freshman guard Owen Boudria got the team started in the first quarter netting a three pointer and a driving one-handed jumper for a 5-0 Wildcats lead. Coach Boudria credits assistant coach Lloyd Aurora for his younger son’s shooting progress. The score board stayed that way for at least five minutes as both teams slugged it out defensively under the boards. 

“We worked hard,” Vitorino said. “We knew that they were going to be tall and physical. We knew that we had to lock in.”

Rock locked in and sank two three pointers, a layup and a put back for 10 of his 12 points in the second quarter to increase the Wildcats lead to 35-16 at halftime. 

“Aidan has been playing big for us,” said Assistant coach Aurora. “He usually has to battle their biggest guy. He plays a big part for us defensively and offensively.”

Owen Boudria sank his second three and another layup for five points in the third quarter as the team rolled out to a 20 point lead. Vitorino netted a three and a mid range jumper. Benchmen Ben Poitras and Jayden Zuber each added three points. The two bigs were huge in helping to keep the physical Millis forwards at bay. 

Still Millis fought back behind the shooting of Adam Hart’s 15 points, to slice the lead in half, 51-41. The Wildcats stalled, began to miss shots and Coach Boudria called a time out. 

“Coach told us that this isn’t one of those teams that you go up 20 and let your foot off the gas,” Rock said. “When it got down to ten he looked at us and said, I told you. Let’s go. Let’s work. And that’s what we did.” 

“You can control how much effort you give,” Coach Boudria said. “No one tries to miss shots. The biggest thing that you can control is on the defensive end. You got to work and come out of here exhausted.” 

In the fourth quarter, Coach Boudria inserted Vitorino and Brodeur back into the game and in a matter of minutes they regained a twenty point lead. Brodeur scored 4 of his 8 points. Ben Boudria hit a three pointer and knocked down three foul shots for 6 points. Vitorino hit a jumper and a pair of free throws and Rock added a fast break layup. “This is what playoffs are all about baby,” said Rock. “Let’s go enjoy it.” 

Next up: 

The Wildcats play at Paulo Freire on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

“They are athletic they are fast,” said Coach Boudria who has been studying film on the four seed. “It should be a pretty good game. I’m looking forward to it. The kids are pretty excited.” 

“They are a tough team It’s going to be a hard game but we’re ready. Westport’s ready,” added Vitorino. 

Westport scoring: Senior forward Dom Vitorino led the Wildcats with 15 points. Senior forward Aidan Rock and junior guard Ben Boudria each scored 12 points, Owen Boudria netted 11, Hunter Brodeur scored 8, Ben Poitras and Jayden Zuber each scored 5 and Cam Leary scored 4.